ARKQ vs VTI
ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, ARKQ or VTI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. ARKQ led over 3Y and the full window, VTI over 1Y and 5Y. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.4%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | ARKQ | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.9B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.25% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 39 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +0.98% | +12.08%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.30% | +16.31%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +30.13%Best | +20.83% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.05% | +11.89%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 27.4% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.9% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,727 | $17,537Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 55.4% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Ark Invest | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 30, 2014 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 30, 2014 to Sep 14, 2026 (12 years).
ARKQ vs VTI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 12 years both funds cover.
ARKQ vs VTI Performance
ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) is an ETF from Ark Invest and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ARKQ returned +16.30% while VTI returned +16.31%. Year to date, ARKQ is up 0.98% versus a gain of 12.08% for VTI.
Over three years, ARKQ compounded at +30.13% per year against +20.83% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +8.05% and +11.89% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, ARKQ has the edge at +16.92% annualized vs +12.28%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ARKQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 27.4% compared with 15.3% for VTI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -59.9% for ARKQ and -35.0% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ARKQ charges 0.75% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $3 annually, a gap of $72 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ARKQ currently yields 0.25% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
79.1% of ARKQ's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 21.9% of VTI's money is in holdings ARKQ also owns.
Most of ARKQ is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
28 positions in common, counted across the 38 positions we hold weights for in ARKQ and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 39 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,126 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for ARKQ (75.5% of the fund), and 4 for ARKQ that do not appear in VTI (11.6%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ARKQ | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSLATesla Inc | 10.69% | 1.22% | 9.47% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 5.11% | 6.40% | 1.29% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.58% | 3.65% | 0.07% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 4.61% | 2.31% | 2.30% |
| TERTeradyne Inc - Common | 5.89% | 0.08% | 5.81% |
| KTOSKratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. | 5.69% | 0.01% | 5.68% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.36% | 2.56% | 0.20% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 3.78% | 1.08% | 2.70% |
| PLTRPalantir Technologies Inc | 4.46% | 0.37% | 4.09% |
| RKLBRocket Lab Corp | 3.67% | 0.05% | 3.62% |
79.1% of ARKQ is already inside VTI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ARKQ or VTI?
ARKQ has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $72 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ARKQ or VTI?
Over the past year ARKQ returned +16.30% vs +16.31% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), ARKQ annualized +16.92% vs +12.28% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ARKQ or VTI?
ARKQ has been the more volatile fund at 27.4% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: ARKQ -59.9% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both ARKQ and VTI?
ARKQ and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between ARKQ and VTI?
79.1% of ARKQ's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 21.9% of VTI's is in holdings ARKQ also owns. They hold 28 positions in common, counted across the 38 positions we hold weights for in ARKQ and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, ARKQ or VTI?
ARKQ yields 0.25% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than ARKQ?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. ARKQ led over 3Y and the full window, VTI over 1Y and 5Y. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.